Indian Railways To Use Advanced AI, Machine Learning To Combat Ticket Touting

The Indian Railways is intensifying its efforts to tackle ticket touting and black marketing, which remain persistent challenges, especially during peak travel seasons.

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has announced the deployment of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies to curb these illegal activities.

“We will start using the behavioural pattern analysis wherein AI systems will scrutinise booking behaviours to identify anomalies indicative of touting activities. This will help us in real-time fraud detection and enable machine learning algorithms to identify and halt suspicious transactions instantly. Dynamic IP monitoring will block multiple bookings originating from the same IP address or through VPNs," A senior RPF official was quoted as saying by Bangalore Mirror.

To enhance passenger verification and ensure authenticity, the Indian Railways plans to introduce biometric systems.

“Ticket bookings will be linked to biometric data for authentication during inspections. Fingerprint scanning at booking counters will ensure transaction authenticity. On the other hand, cloud-based systems will allow real-time processing of ticketing data, while predictive analytics will use historical data to implement preventive measures on vulnerable routes and travel seasons,” an official added.

South Western Railway (SWR) official have highlighted the severity of the touting issue, which undermines fair access to tickets and erodes public trust.

The RPF cyber cells are actively analysing booking patterns, conducting targeted operations at ticket counters and cybercafes, and seizing unauthorised tickets.

“Currently, the RPF has equipped its cyber cells with state-of-the-art software to dismantle touting networks. Advanced surveillance tools, including CCTV and real-time monitoring of online booking platforms, have bolstered the RPF’s capacity to curb touting. Collaboration with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has led to the deactivation of suspicious accounts. Offenders will face strict penalties under the Railways Act, including imprisonment, as recent judicial rulings classify ticket touting as a social crime,” an official emphasised.

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